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ORATION 


DELIYEKED  BEFORE 


-ox  THEIK- 


TWENTY-FOURTH  ANNIVERSARY, 

MAY  aOtli,  1877, 


■BY- 


Edward  Cantwell 


Published  by  P.  HEINSBERGER. 


WILMINGTON,  N.  C: 

S.  G.  HALL,  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTER, 

1877. 


George  Washington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 
COLONEL  FLOWERS 


':> 


PaaipLlet  Collection 
Dake  Univeraity  Library 


ORATION 


DELIVERED  BEFORE 


-ON  THEIR- 


TWENTY-FOURTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


JVIAY  20tli,  1877. 


-BY- 


Edward  Cantwell. 


WILMINGTON,  N.  C.: 

S.  G.  HALL,  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTER, 

1877. 


WITH  THE  HIGHEST  REGAED 
AND  BEST  WISHES 
FOR  THIER  PROSPERITY  AND  SUCCESS, 

I  DEDICATE  THIS  ORATION 
^  TO  THE 

j^ISTOr\ICAL  AND  ^CIENTIFIC  jSoCIETY, 


OF  WILMINGTON,  N.  C. 


EDWARD  CANTWELL. 


THE  WILMINGTON  LIGHT  INFANTRY.* 


This  being  the  auniversary  of  the  day  when  a  bold  and 
brave  band  of  patriotic  North  Carohnians  assembled  one 
hundred  and  t\YO  years  ago  in  the  county  of  old  Mecklenburg 
to  declare  against  the  oppression  of  the  mother  country,  and 
to  proclaim  to  the  world  their  willingness  to  throw  off  the 
yoke,  and  in  doing  so  pledged  themselves  to  defend  their 
principles  with  their  lives,  their  fortunes  and  their  sacred 
honor,  it  is  but  fitting  that  such  a  glorious  day  in  the  history 
ot  our  dear  old  mother  state  should  be  kept  ahve  and  per- 
petuated by  succeeding  generaiions  for  all  time  to  come.  It 
was  with  this  view,  no  doubt,  that  the  original  members  of 
Wilmington  Light  Infantry  first  organized  this  gallant 
company,  twenty-tour  years  ago,  on  the  20th  day  of  May, 
1853.  The  not  uneventful  history  of  this  splendid  company 
has  been  well  and  truly  told  in  the  fine  address  here  published 
by  the  Hon.  Edward  Oantweil,  who  was  the  first  officer  that 
ever  commanded  it.  Many  there  are  who  participated  in  that 
first  organization  whose  familiar  faces  have  long  since  passed 
from  us  and  many  there  are  who  doffed  the  handsome  blue 
uniform  to  don  the  glorious  gray  and  marched  out  with  buoy- 
ant hopes  and  lofty  aspirations,  who,  now  alas,  ^ 'sleep  their 
last  sleep,  and  have  fought  their  last  battle." 

But  there  are  still  some  of  the  old  veterans  left  to  tell  the 
tale  of  woe,  of  carnage,  and  of  slaughter,  of  brilliant  \^ctories 
and  disastrous  retreats,  of  hardships  and  privations,  without 


*  An  oration  delivered  at  the  Opera  House,  Wilmington,  N.  C,  before  the  mili- 
tarv  and  civil  organizations  of  that  city,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1877,  that  being  the 
anniversary  of  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry  Company. 


6 


number,  of  sufferings  that  no  human  tongue  can  express  or 
portray.  All  of  which  were  borne  with  a  fortitude  and  courage 
unsurpassed  by  soldiers  in  any  land  at  any  time. 

The  fine  looking  Cape  Fear  Light  Artillery  Company, under 
command  of  Capt.  Flanner,  headed  the  procession  to-day,  pre- 
ceded by  the  drum  corps  of  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry. 
Next  to  the  Artillery  Company  came  the  Veteran  Corps  of 
the  Wilmingtmi  Light  Infantry,  numbering  sonip.  twenty  odd 
men  under  command  of  Col.  Wm.  L.  DeRosset,  who  was 
their  last  captain  prior  to  the  war.  The  soldierly  bearing  of 
these  old  veterans  attracted  much  attention  and  was  the  oc- 
cassion  of  much  favorable  comment  from  the  citizens  generally. 
The  gray  caps  they  wore  added  very  much  to  their  military 
appearance,  but  their  good  marching  was  the  chief  cause  of 
the  complimentary  remarks  that  were  made. 

At  the  Dawson  Bank,  on  Front  street,  the  Produce  Ex- 
change filed  into  the  procession  and  at  the  corner  of  Front 
and  Princess  the  column  was  joined  by  the  old  Mexican 
veterans  carrying  the  flag  which  was  planted  on  the  bights  of  the 
National  Bridge,  Mexico,  on  the  12th  day  ot  August,  1847,  by 
Lieutenant  Edward  Oantwell,  of  the  12th  Eegt.  tJ.  S.  Infantry. 

Atthe  Northwest  corner  of  Princess  and  Front,the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  joined  in  the  procession  and  further  on  up  Prin- 
cess, the  Historical  and  Scientific  Society  took  the  place  in 
the  line  which  had  been  assigned  them.  The  whole  column 
under  command  of  Maj.  M.  P.  Taylor,  with  Lieut.  N.  H. 
Sprunt,  of  the  W.  L.  L,  acting  as  Adjutant,  then  moved  on 
up  Princess  street  to  the  Opera  House.  Arriving  there  a 
halt  was  made,  the  military  came  to  a  front  and  presented 
arms,  when  the  civil  organizations  passed  on  up  in  front  of 
the  line  and  preceded  the  military  into  the  building.  The 
military  passed  in  and  brought  up  the  rear. 

The  Opera  House,  which  is  very  spacious,  was  well  filled, 
many  ladies  and  gentlemen  having  assembled  there  before  the 
procession  arrived,  availing  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to 
secure  good  seats. 


The  orator  of  the  daj^,  Hon.  Edward  Oantweh,  the  Chap- 
lain, Rev.  Mr.  Patterson,  the  Choir  consisting  of  Messrs.  Har- 
grave,  Metts,  Eobinson  and  Northrop,  together  with  the  Com- 
mittee of  Arrangements  and  the  reader  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  took  seats  on  the  stage.  Capt.  Armand  L. 
DeRosset,  Master  of  Ceremonies,  then  introduced  Rev.  Dr., 
Patterson,  Chaplain  of  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry,  who 
opened  the  ceremonies  with  prayer,  after  which  Capt.  DeRosset 
read  from  the  programme  that  the  "Old  North  State"  would 
be  sung  by  the  Choir,  Prof.  YanLaer  as  Musical  Director,  at 
the  piano.  At  the  close  of  the  last  verse  the  audience  rose 
to  their  feet  and  joined  in  the  chorus.  Amid  the  utmost  enthu- 
siasm, and  the  waving  of  hats  and  handkerchiefs,  Mr.  Joseph 
Cronly  read  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  in  a  clear,distinct  and 
pleasant  manner,  after  which  Capt.  DeRosset,  in  a  very 
graceful  manner,  introduced  Judge  Cantwell,  who  spoke  as 
follows : 


ORATION. 

Ladies  and  Gextlembx  : — I  thank  you  for  this  kind 
and  cordial  greeting,  and  that  I  may  not  be  supposed  insensi- 
ble to  such  a  compliment  from  a  Wilmington  audience,  you 
will  permit  me  to  say,  that  my  subject  this  afternoon  depends 
so  much  on  my  own  recollections,  that  I  feel  that  I  should  not 
detain  you  with  acknowledgments  of  a  merely  personal 
character. 

The  study  of  our  North  Carolina  history  is  one  of  the  must 
interesting  and  profitable  employments  in  which  North  Caro- 
linians can  engage.  I  am  aware  of  the  embarrasments  by 
w^hich  you  are  at  present  surrounded,  and  the  difficulty  you 
find  of  fixing  your  attention  upon  matters  not  connected  with 
business,  but  you  will  permit  me  to  say  that  no  people  will 
long  be  free,  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  virtues  of  their 


8 

ancestors  or  insensible  to  the  sacrifices  liberty  requires :  who 
are  not  constantly  inspired  with  a  vehement  rage,  the  infirm- 
ity of  noble  minds;  which  counts  life  as  valueless,  without  just 
and  equal  laws  and  a  free  government.  So  long,  gentlemen, 
as  civil  liberty  shall  endure,  this  day,  the  20th  of  May,  will 
be  a  sacred  and  a  holy  day  in  North  Carolina. 

One  hundred  and  two  years  ago,  thirteen  and  a  half  months 
before  the  now  celebrated  Declaration  of  the  Fourth  day  of 
July,  1776,  at  Philadelphia,  the  Scotch-Irish  settled  in  the 
western  part  of  North  Carolina,  assembled  at  Charlotte  Court 
House,Mecklenburg,surrounded  by  their  wives  and  mothers  and 
irritated  by  the  arbitrary  proceedings  of  the  English  Governor, 
who  on  the  night  of  the  24th  of  April  had  fled  from  Newbern 
to  Fort  Johnston,  having  previously  dissolved  or  attempted 
to  dissolve  their  local  legislature.  Then  came  the  news  of 
the  conflict  at  Lexington,  on  the  19th  of  April.  News  traveled 
slowly  in  those  days;  the  proclamation  of  the  British  King, 
declaring  the  Massachusetts  rebels  and  all  who  sympathized 
with  them,  out  of  his  protection,  was  well  calculated  to  rouse 
their  apprehensions  of  the  future.  Inspired  moreover  by  the 
patriotic  appeals  of  their  leading  men;  William  Kennon,  the 
lawyer,  Ephraim  Brevard,  their  doctor,  and  Hezekiah  Balch, 
their  pastor,  these  men  at  the  Court  House  cried  out  unani- 
mously, as  if  with  one  voice,  "Let  us  have  done  with  this 
nonsense,  let  us  be  independent.  Yes,let  us  declare  indepen- 
dence and  defend  it  with  our  fortunes  and  our  lives." 

They  called  Abraham  Alexander,  the  school  master,  to 
the  chair.  Doctor  Brevard  read  them  some  resolutions  he 
had  drawn  up  for  some  friends  at  a  meeting  held  at  Queen's 
Museum,  Charlotte,  a  few  days  previously.  These  resolutions 
were  referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of  the  doctor  himself, 
Mr.  Kennon  and  the  Rev.  H.  J.  Bal(3h,  and  the  committee 
retired  for  consultation.  The  rest  remained  in  the  Court 
House  until  midnight  of  that  day  and  all  the  next  until 
high  noon.  The  question  in  debate  was  Independence.  The 
excitement  continually  increased  until  at  last  every  man's 


9 


mind  being  fully  made  up,  and  Brevard's  resolutions  amended 
and  revised  by  the  committee  thoroughly  understood,  the. 
question  upon  them  was  put  by  the  chairman  in  the  midst  of 
a  profound  stillness,  made  solemn,  by  the  magnitude  of  the 
issues  it  presented  and  the  character  of  the  men  by  whom 
those  issues  were  to  be  resolved.  "Are  you  all  agreed  to  these 
resolutions,"  he  asked.  The  response  was  an  universal  aye. 
It  was  then  moved  that  the  resolutions  should  be  read  at  the 
Court  House  door,and  proclamation  being  made,  Colonel  Thos, 
Polk,  from  the  steps  of  the  Court  House  read  then  to  a  listening 
and  approving  auditory,  the  now  famous  resolutions  known 
as  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration;  they  formally  proclaimed 
Independence  of  the  British  Crown;  abjured  allegiance  to  the 
English  Government,  and  established  in  IS'orth  Carolina  a 
seperate  and  self-existing  pohtical  community.  The  .  authors 
of  those  resolutions  were  the  descendants  of  a  people  who  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland  had  for  centuries  been  engaged*  in  the 
same  struggle  they  that  day  inaugurated  in  America.  The 
language  of  these  resolutions  was  their  habitual  form  of 
speech,  whenever  aroused  by  similar  occasions.  These  were 
the  people  who  settled  our  western  villages.  They  were  he- 
reditary opponents  of  royal  misrule.  Blood  will  tell !  The 
men  came  from  generations  of  Scotch  and  Irish  rebels.  They 
went  to  Charlotte  that  day  with  their  mothers  and  wives;  and 
these  wives  and  mothers  came  from  women  who  fought  side 
by  side  with  the  defenders  of  Limerick  and  Derry.  There 
they  stood  in  the  imminent  breach  with  such  weapons  as  they 
could  snatch  from  the.  bodies  of  the  slain,  and  there  they  w- on 
triumphs  w^hich  illumine  the  pages  of  history,  and  shed  such 
radiance  on  posterity,  we  need  no  other  lamp  to  light  us  to 
glory  or  the  grave.  Originally  settled  in  Delaware  and  pass- 
ing through  Penns^dvania  and  Virginia,  from  the  head  springs 
of  the  Opequon  and  Cub  Creek  in  that  State,  they  emigrated 
to  North  Carolina  between  1736  and  1750.  Scattering  them-, 
selves  along  the  banks  of  the  Hico,  the  Eno  and  the  Haw, 
they  built  their  rude  cabins  of  fragrant  cedars  and  pine.  The; 


10 


blue  smoke  dotting  the  verdant  landscape  here  and  there 
marked  their  advance  westward  through  the  wilderness.  At 
night  they  made  their  evening  prayer^  and  laid  them  down 
between  their  bibles  and  their  rifles;  lulled  to  sleep  and  waked 
to  labor  by  the  tinkhng  floods  of  the  Yadkin  and  the  Catawba. 

*  *  Driven  from  their  homes  across  the  deep, 
Founded  a  state  that  grew  so  strong  and  grand, 

That  in  their  day  its  shadow  did  expand, 
And  climb  the  tryant's  throne !    Did  History  bind 

Their  glory  round  her  brow,  until  her  hand 
Weary  with  search,  on  record  failed  to  find 

Minds  tempered  with  such  power  to  benefit  their  kind? 

And  while  they  sleep,  she  tells  their  deeds  sublime, 
The  everlasting  base  from  which  shall  spring 

New  empires,  like  their  own,  till  every  clime 
Shall  bless  the  breeze  that  bears  the  eagle's  wing. 

And  tongues  in  every  language  learn  to  sing 
Freedom's  sweet  song.   *  ^  * 

The  20th  of  May  is  also  the  anniversary  of  our  North  Caro- 
lina secession  in  1861.  After  exhausting  every  other  means  of 
redress  we,  this  day  sixteen  years  ago,  solemnly  declared  the 
compact  broken  which  was  established  in  1789.  The  Union 
had  been  dissolved  by  others,  and  thereupon  we  immediately 
attempted  to  re-establish  another  in  its  place  and  failed. 

One  day  history  will  do  justice  to  this  movement  of  a  Union 
loving  people. 

The  20th  of  May  is  also  the  anniversary  of  the  Historical 
and  Scientific  Society,  of  this  city. 

Gentlemen,  we  are  glad  to  see  you  here  to-day.  We  con- 
gratulate you  upon  your  successful  efforts  to  organize  the 
scholars  and  gentlemen  of  Wilmington  into  a  society  which 
has  already  acquired  reputation  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  Cape  Fear  Light  Artillery  also  celebrate  to-day,  their 
anniversary.  We  welcome  too,  around  the  altar  of  Mecklen- 
burg, the  Produce  Exchange,  the  surviving  veterans  of  the 
Mexican  war,  the  Cornet  Concert  Club  and  the  young  cadets 
of  the  Whiting  Eifles.  You,  young  gentlemen,  unite  Meck- 
lenburg and  Fort  Fisher;  your  company  is  the  link  between 


11 


proud  memories  and  growing  hopes.  0  dulce  et  decorum  est 
pro  patria  mori.  You  perpetuate  the  name  ot  a  man*  who, 
perished  in  the  defence  of  North  Carohna,  and  in  obedience  to 
her  laws.  Let  us  hope  the  day  will  come  when  North 
Carolina  shall  lovingly  rescue  his  remains  and  enclose  themi  in 
her  own  bosom.  We  know  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  the 
German  Volunteers  will  meet  us  here  again.  Fellow  Citizens: 
These  organizations  are  necessary  to  the  development  of  the 
noble  qualities  among  us.  The  manly  virtues  never  flourish 
where  military  prowess  is  disregarded  and  when  chivalry  shall 
cease  to  be  known  among  men,  gentleness  and  refinement  will 
disappear  among  women.  I  look  upon  the  revival  of  the 
military  spirit  and  the  organization  of  our  militia,  which  will 
immediately  follow  it,  as  the  most  auspicious  signs  of  a  lasting 
peace  and  the  best  hope  of  a  true  reconciliation.  The  prompt 
withdrawal  of  the  army  from  its  post,  so  called,  at  Raleigh,  the 
evacuation  of  the  State  Houses  at  Columbia  and  New  Orleans, 
indicate  the  purpose  of  President  Hayes  to  restore  the  su- 
premacy of  the  civil  power,  to  confine  the  use  of  the  army  to 
our  foreign  defence;  absolute  reliance  on  the  protection  of  the 
whole  people  for  the  maintenance  of  order  here,  the  restora- 
tion of  the  South  to  its  fair  and  equal  apportionment  of  federal 
patronage  and  control,  and  its  equality  in  the  Union.  These 
are  the  legitimate  objects  of  all  political  combinations,  and  for 
these  acts  and  purposes,  the  President  is  entitled  to  the 
gratitude  and  respect  of  every  American  citizen. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry,  you  have  the 
honor  to  be  the  first  military  organization  to  adopt  the  20th 
of  May  as  an  anniversary.  Your  first  meeting  was  called  at 
the  Court  House,  in  January  1858.  The  original  certificate 
of  your  enrollment  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature, 
passed  in  1849,  is  dated  the  22d  of  February.  This  certificate 
is  equivalent  to  a  special  charter,  and  renders  one  unnecessary. 
From  the  original  founders  the  company  selected  the  following 

Gen.  W.  H.  C.  Whiting,  died  in  the  hospital,  New  York,  of  wounds  received  at 
Fort  Fislier,  N.  C. 


12 

officers,  VIZ.  :  Washington  0.  Fergus,  First  Lieut.;  E. 
Bowden,  Second  Lieut.  ;  W.  A.  M.  YanBokkelen,  Third 
Lieut. ;  Geo.  E.  Pritchett,  Ensign.    Edward  Cant  well  was 
elected  the  first  captain  oi  the  company. 

The  following  wert^  the  original  founders  of  the  company : 
Theodore  Ambrose,  Edward  N.  Atkins,  J.  Frank  Bishop, 
James  A.  Burch,  Dickson  Brown,  Kobert  R.  Bowden,  Thomas 
^5".  Bishop,  Joseph  L.  Barlow,  Archibald  N^.  Burch,  Samuel  H. 
Bingham,  WiUiam  K.  Bowden,  Christopher  Burns,  Edward 
Cantwell,  John  L.  Cantwell,  Edward  Cason,  Lill.  Corbin^ 
Jesse  W.  Dixey,  Robert  H.  Drysdale,  Louis  B,  Erambert. 
Wash,  C.  Fergus,  Joseph  M.  Foy,  W.  H.  Hardee,  Cambyses 
Hunter,  Joseph  S.  Ives,  Thomas  H.  Johnson,  Oliver  Kelly^ 
William  H.  King,  John  R.  London,  John  D.  Love,  William 
N.  Lewis,  Frederick  I.  Moore,  Alexander  E.  Mott,  Charles 
W.  Morris,  Charles  D.  Myers,  William  M.  Murrill,  J.  R. 
Murray,  Andrew  J.  Mashburne,  William  H.  Northrop,  Sam- 
uel G.  ISTorthrop,  Joseph  H.  Neff,  John  J.  Poisson,  James  T. 
Petteway,  George  E.  Pritchett,  Oscar  G.  Parsley,  Jr.,  Wil- 
liam H  Petteway,  Samuel  W.  Roberts,  Edward  Ryan,  Wil- 
liam L.  Robinson,  Henry  Savage,  Samuel  ..^ .  Swann,  William 
H.  Shaw,  William  B.  Shaw,  William  JN .  Swann,  Richard  H. 
Selby,  Robert  C.  Strong,  Christopher  W.  Styron,  Hiram  B. 
Sholar,  Henry  Sholar,  John  Sholar,  William  H.  Turlington, 
Wash.  Taylor,  J.  C.  Thomas,  Wilham  R.  Utley,  John  R. 
Utley,  William  A.  M.  YanBokkelen,  George  O.  Van- 
Amringe,  Jr.,  William  A.  Wilson,  Louis  H.  Wilson,  William 

A.  Walker,  Wilham  L.  White,  William  E.  Wright,  John  S. 
Wilson,  Walter  S.  Williamson,  David  G.  White  and  Hardy 

B.  Wilhs. 

Your  first  uniform  was  green  trimmed  with  orange  cloth 
and  gold,  ofiicers  and  men  wore  white  plumes,  trimmed 
with  green.  The  first  and  second  platoon  were  divided 
into  several  squads,  and  each  in  charge  of  an  officer. 
Your  first  drills  were  had  at  Wells'  old  carriage  shop,  on 
the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Market  streets.     I  hope  to 


13 


be  pardoned  for  saying  that  no  company  ever  started  into 
existence  under  more  favwable  auspices.  I  doubt  indeed  if 
there  existed  in  America,  a  more  high-toned,  select  and  chiv- 
alrous organization.  I  mean  no  empty  compliment  to  the 
ladies  of  Wilmington  when  I  declare  however  that  its  success 
is  mainly  due  to  them,  and  I  believe  their  active  sympathy 
and  cordial  co-operation  to  be  still  necessary.  For  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  their  influence  has  been  constantly 
observable.  During  this  period  events  have  occurred  which 
have  not  been  surpassed  in  magnitude  by  any  in  history. 
Conspicuous  among  the  actors  in  them  the  Wihiiington  Light 
Infantry  has  always  borne  a  distinguished  part.  Indeed,  the 
history  of  this  particular  company  is  the  history  of  Wilming- 
ton and  J^orth  Carolina. 

To  some  extent,  also,  it  has  been  the  history  of  the  romantic 
Confederacy^  of  which  this  State  was  once  an  active  member. 
Inspired  at  first  by  the  spirit  awakened  upon  a  foreign  soil, 
in  the  campaigns  of  Scott  and  Taylor,  your  laurels  were 
reaped  in  the  harvest  of  service  at  home;  beneath  the  flag  of 
1853  and  around  it;  beneath  the  tears  and  glances  of  those 
who  presented  it;  your  sweethearts  and  wives;  amidst  clash- 
ing thunders  which  proclaimed  the  presence  of  an  enemy 
near  where  "  your  thoughtful  evening  fires  were  wont  to 
glow  on  their  bright  and  happy  faces." 

In  the  year  1853,  the  militia  of  the  United  States  was  armed 
only  with  flint  and  steel  muskets.  Percussion  guns  were 
rarely  seen  except  in  the  regular  army.  It  became  necessary 
to  secure  a  sufiicient  number  of  the  new  weapons  to  arm  the 
company.  How  to  do  this,  when  there  were  none  issued  to 
the  State,  was  the  problem,  but  Mr.  Jefferson  Da^fis  was 
Secretary  of  War,  and  it  was  understood  there  were  a  few  in 
the  Arsenal  at  Fayetteville.  It  was  of  course  useless  to  apply 
for  them  in  the  usual  way  through  the  Governor,  and  hence 
some  other  base  of  operations  had  to  be  selected.  Under 
these  circumstances  the  company  resorted  to  a  stratagem; 
they  improvised  a  ruse  de  guerre  which  I  will  now  endeavor 


14 


to  relate  for  your  amusement.  A  meeting  was  called  at  which 
the  name  of  Mr.  Davis,  the  Secretary  of  War,  was  offered  for 
admission  as  a  member  of  the  company;  he  was  of  course 
unanimously  elected.  By  another  resolution  the  captain  was 
authorised  to  issue  to  Mr.  Davis  a  formal  leave  of  absence 
during  his  term  of  office  as  Secretary  of  War,  and  to  exempt 
him  from  all  fines  for  non-attendance  on  company  and  squad 
drills.  By  the  third  resolution  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  inform  Mr.  Davis  of  these  pioceedings,  solicit  the  honor  of 
his  acceptance  and  request  his  influence  at  Washington  in 
obtaining  seventy  guns  and  equipments  in  time  for  the  ceremo- 
nies of  the  great  and  glorious  anniversary  of  American  Indepen- 
dence. The  Fourth  of  July,  1853,  was  celebrated  in  Wilmington 
with  unusual  spirit.  A  joint  committee  was  appointed,  con- 
sisting of  Dr.  W.  W.  Harriss  acting  for  the  town  authorities, 
Oapt.  Jacob  Wessel  for  the  German  Volunteers  and  the 
captain  of  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry  for  that  body. 
Eobt.  H.  Cowan,  Esq.,  accepted  the  position  of  orator. 

Just  a  few  days  before  the  Fourth  a  letter  was  received  from 
Mr.  Davis  cordially  accepting  these  compliments.  In  the  most 
graceful  and  patriotic  terms  ;  he  thanked  the  captain  especi- 
ally for  the  indulgence  and  leave  of  absence  extended  him 
from  "squad  driUs"  during  the  time  he  was  acting  as  Sec- 
retary of  War  for  the  United  States.  Mr.  Davis  closed  his 
letter  with  the  information  that  he  found  no  difficulty  in 
persuading  the  Secretary  of  War  into  a  compliance  with  the 
wishes  of  the  company.  Orders,  he  said  had  already  been 
issued  for  the  delivery  of  the  guns  and  equipments.  In  fact 
the  next  day,  they  arrived  by  special  express  from  Fayette- 
ville,  to  the  wonderment  and  delight  of  the  entire  community. 

Will  you  pardon  me  for  adding  that  ten  years  afterwards 
the  captain,  having  become  a  field  officer  of  the  Confederate 
States,  was  admitted  to  the  presence  of  the  President :  Mr. 
Davis  received  the  colonel  with  a  gracious  smile,  but  address- 
ing him  as  "captain"  requested  him  to  be  seated  for  a  moment. 
After  a  while  he  turned  to  him  and  said,  "Well,  captain. 


15 


and  now  what  can  I  do  for  you?"  That  there  should  be  no 
misunderstanding  or  mistake  on  the  '^captain's"  part,  after 
granting  the  request  for  which  the  colonel  asked  he  said  : 
*^Well,  captain,  what  has  become  of  the  squad  drills  and  our 
company;  I  mean  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry?"  The 
captain  felt  some  pride  in  being  able  to  tell  Mr.  Davis,  the 
President,  that  his  squad  and  the  company  were  both  actively 
engaged  in  the  service  of  the  Confederacy,  and  some  sixty-five 
of  them,  T>  ere  commissioned  officers  in  the  array. 

In  November,  ls53,  the  company  was  honored  by  the  pre- 
sentation to  them  of  their  first  flag  from  the  ladies  of  Wil- 
mington. The  ceremony  took  place  on  the  steps  of  the  Cape 
Fear  Bank  and  was  witnessed  by  a  large  and  brilliant  con- 
course. Among  the  strangers  present  was  the  late  Abram  W. 
Yenable.  Col.  Robert  Strange,  alas !  that  he  is  not  with 
us  to-day,  delivered  the  speech. 

At  dinner  the  company  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  enter- 
tainment, prepared  by  Wood  &  Vincent  at  the  Carolina 
Hotel.  Speeches  were  made  by  Messrs.  Eobt.  H.  Cowan, 
Robt.  Strange,  Samuel  J.  Person,  Eli  Hall  and  others.  Alas! 
these  men  are  no  longer  among  us  to  receive  the  evidences  we 
would  so  gladly  offer  them  of  the  public  respect  and  our 
individual  devotion.  They  have  passed  away  for  ever.  ^'Like 
the  bubbles  that  swim  on  the  breakers  brim,  and  break  on  the 
lips  while  meeting  " 

The  first  captain  was  succeeded  in  1854,  by  Edward 
Savage,  Esq.,  one  of  the  honorary  members  of  the  company. 
Capt.  Savage  resigned  in  May,  and  was  succeeded  by  First 
Lieut.  Washington  C.  Fergus.  He  resigned  in  May,  1855. 
and  was  succeeded  by  John  L.  Oantwell,  Esq.  Capt.  J ohn 
Cantwell  resigned  in  July,  and  WilUam  L.  DeRosset  became 
the  fifth  on  the  list  of  captains.  Capt.  DeRosset  resigned 
in  1857,  and  was  succeeded  by  Ed.  D.  Hall.  Capt.  Hall 
resigned  in  May,  1860,  and  Capt.  DeRosset  was  again  elected 
to  the  command  which  he  retained  until  May,  1861,  when 


16 


being  appointed  Major  of  the  M  Infantiy,  he  was  sncceeded 
by  Robt.  B.  McRae. 

For  seven  years  prior  to  the  war,  with  the  exception  of  an 
occasional  tour  of  duty  as  fire  gu  ird,  the  operations  of  the 
Light  Infantry  were  confined  to  social  and  festive  occasions; 
composed  of  the  young  cadets  of  the  town,carefully  culled  from 
the  best  families, its  history  was  an  uninterrupted  festivity.  It^ 
occasionally  disorder  arose,  at  the  sight  of  the  flag  presented 
by  the  ladieSy  it  immediately  disappeared.  In  March,  1856^ 
the  company  pieseuted  Capt.  DeRosset  with  a  massive  silver 
pitch(.T  and  salver,  in  testimony  of  their  appreciation  of  him 
as  a  commander^  his  character  as  a  gentleman  and  his  lofty 
bearing  as  a  soldier.  Mr.  Ohas.  D.  Myers,  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  company,  was  the  spokesman  on  tha-t  occasion.  The 
20th  of  May,  1856,  was  enlivened  by  the  visit  and  presence 
of  the  "Oak  City  Guards,"  of  Raleigh,  and  the  Fayetteville 
Light  Infantry,  Besides  the  usual  festivities,  songs,  parades 
and  dancing,  tliere  was  a  sharp  competition  for  a  prize  and 
target  firing.  The  day  closed  with  a  diimer  at  Browne's 
Hotel  and  a  grand  excursion  to  Fort  Caswell  and  Bald  Head. 
The  visit  of  the  Oak  City  Guards  w^as  returned  next  year, 
1857.  Early  in  the  bonny  month  of  May,  the  company, 
under  command  of  Capt.  DeEiosset,  and  a  full  band  of  music, 
took  the  boat  for  Raleigh  via  Fayetteville.  Upon  their  arrival 
at  the  capital  of  the  State  they  were  met  by  the  Oak  City 
Guards,  Capt.  Harrison,  and  the  Raleigh  Cadets,  and  es- 
corted to  the  reception  ground,  in  front  of  the  residence  of 
Dr.  F.  J.  Haywood. 

The  following  answered  to  roll  call  on  this  occasion  :  W.  L. 
DeRossetj  Captain ;  L.  B.  Erambert,  First  Lieut. ;  J.  R. 
Loudon,  Second  Lieut.  ;  A.  B.  Wright,  Surgeon ;  John  J. 
Poisson,  Ensign;  A.  M.  Waddell,  Quarter  Master.  Sergeants  : 
CD.  Myers,  G.  E.  Pritchett  and  J.  D.  McPeake.  J.  C.  Mc- 
Ilhennyj  Color  Bearer.  Corporals :  Latta,  Wright,  Savage, 
Davis,  Daniel  and  Burr.  Privates  :  Cassidey,  Cazaux,  Gum- 
ming, Curtis,  Darby,  Flanner,  Haller,  Hyde,  Ivey,  Mendenhail^ 


17 


Moore,  McDuffie,  McKoy,  McKae,  M.  Quince,  E.  Quince, 
'    Eoberts,  ShaAV,  Smith,  Swanuand  White. 

Business  that  day  in  Ealeigh  was  entirely  suspended. 
The  streets  presented  a  hoUdav  appearance;  amidst  the  boom- 
ing  of  cannon,  the  cheers  of  the  assembled  multitude,  and  a 
vast  concourse  of  ladies  and  gentlemen.  His  Excellency, 
Thomas  Bragg,  Governor  of  North  Carohna,  welcomed  them 
to  the  hospitalities  of  the  city  and  the  state.  "No  duty,"  he 
said,  "could  his  fellow-citizens  have  asked  him  to  perform, 
which  would  be  undertaken. with  more  alacrity.  "Soldiers," 
said  he,  "you  come  to  us  from  our  chief  commercial  town. 
We  have  heard  of  the  industry,  the  enterprise,  the  intelli- 
gence of  your  people.  Should  your  country  ever  call  you  to 
avenge  her  wrongs,  or  protect  her  rights,  I  have  heard  too 
much  of  your  gallantry  to  believe  that  one  of  you  could  be 
found  who  is  not  willing  and  ready  at  the  first  tap  of  the 
drum  to  fall  into  ranks  and  march  where  duty  called." 

Alfred  Moore  Waddell,  a  member  of  the  corps,  replied  to 
the  Governor  in  a  fervid  and  eloquent  speech.    (See  Appendix.) 

The  company  then  proceeded  to  the  Executive  Mansion, 
where  they  were  received  and  hospitably  entertained  by  the 
accomplished  wife  of  the  Chief  Magistrate.  For  two  days 
the  city  was  given  up  to  festivities  and  the  rest  of  their  visit 
was  a  perfect  ovation.  They  were  invited  to  the  hospitalities 
of  the  leading  citizens,  and,  finally,  found  themselyes  captured 
and  captive,  but  willing  prisoners  to  the  garrison  at  St. 
Mary's.  They  found  their  new  percussion  guns  no  better 
defence  against  such  arms  as  were  there  arrayed,  than  the 
old  dint  and  steel  had  proved  themselves.  Among  the 
happiest  incidents  of  this  visit  was  the  speech  of  the  late 
venerable  rector,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Smedes.  The  weather  w^as 
balmy  and  beautiful.  The  sun  wore  his  brightest  smile  and 
the  gladdened  earth  looked  up  to  him  with  joy.  The  last 
day  at  Ealeigh  was  devoted  to  target  firing.  Anthony  D. 
Gazaux,  Esq.,  a  member  of  the  company,  won  the  highest 
prize  and  distinction.    It  was  delivered  to  him  in  the  House 


18 


of  Commons  by  ex-Goveroor  Manly.  All  the  ladies  of  the 
city  wei'e  there  gazing  on  the  victor ;  so  was  Senator  Badger, 
Jno.  H.  Bryan,  and  Sion  H.  Eogers,  with  other  distinguished 
Carolinians.  My  impression  is  that  private  Cazaux  did  not 
finish  the  speech  he  prepared  for  that  occasion.  He  had  to 
face  a  battery  only  less  kindling  than  that  the  same  veteran 
tries  to  face  to-day,  one  which  appalls  the  true  soldier  more 
than  grape  and  canister.  Gov.  Manly,  however,  said  tor  him  : 
"If  yoii  want  the  battles  of  your  country  tought  and  won  ; 
your  raih^oads  built,  and  rivers  opened,  or  the  bull's  eye 
of  the  target  shot  out,  these  are  the  boys  to  do  it." 

One  ot  the  flags  of  the  company,  held  by  Ensign  J.  C.  Mc- 
Ilhenny,  on  that  occasion,  is  carried  to-day  by  Wm.  Martin, 
a  survivor  of  the  12th  Infantry  of  the  U.  S.  Army  in  the  war 
with  Mexico. 

In   May,   1857,   the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry,  under 
the   special  appointment  of  the   Governor  of  the  State, 
proceeded  to  Weldon  with  their  tents  and  camp  equipage  and 
became  the  Sj^ecial  escort  of  President  Buchanan,  who  was 
then  on  a  visit  to  the  University  at  Chapel  Hill.    This  service 
was  acknowledged  by  Gov.  Ellis,  in  a  letter  dated  25th  of 
June,  1859,  in  terms  of  the  warmest  commendation.  "I 
shall  ever  feel  grateful  to  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry," 
said  he,  "for  the  important  aid  they  rendered  me  on  this 
occasion  and  I  will  know  on  whom  to  call  when  gallantry, 
military  skill  and  discipline  are  required  by  the  State." 
President  Buchanan's  acknowledgments  were  even  more 
flattering.    On  taking  leave  of  his  escort  he  said :  "I  have 
not  met  in  the  United  States,  a  company  of  gpntlemen  more 
correct  in  their  conduct,  more  exact  in  their  discipline,  or 
more  deserving  of  the  grateful  commendation  of  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  Union.    If,  gentlemen,  you  should  ever 
come  to  Washington,  let  me  only  know  that  a  member  of  the 
Wilmington  Light  Infantry  is  near  me  and  I  shah  need  no 
other  introduction." 

Upon  the  acceptance  of  the  ladies'  flag  in  1853,  your  first 


19 


captain  pledged  you  to  attain  the  highest  standard  of  your 
proud  ancestry.  Addressing  the  company  and  describing 
the  then  threatening  aspect  of  pubhc  affairs,  he  said : 
^'Comrades,  it  ever  the  day  should  come  in  our  time, 
and  I  think  it  will,  when  you  will  be  called  to  assert 
upon  these  sandy  hills,  already  stained  with  your  fore- 
fathers' blood,  the  principles  they  proclaimed  at  Meck- 
lenburg, let  the  memories  of  this  day  float  around  your 
beautiful  banner,  and  its  glorious  inscription.  Let  them 
nerve  vour  arm,  minoie  in  vour  shouts  of  victorv  or  assuage 
the  bitterness  of  your  defeat." 

That  time  did  come.  These  bold,  brave  words  were  tested 
to  their  utmost,  and  I  stand  here  to-day  to  say  these  promises 
were  redeemed  at  Bentonsville  and  Fort  Fisher  with  your 
blood  and  a  whole  people's  tears. 

At  midnight  on  the  15th  of  April,  1861,  Gov.  Ellis  was 
aroused  from  his  bed,  and  told  of  the  bombardment  of  Sumter 
and  the  President's  proclamation  of  war.  He  instantly  de- 
termined to  seize  Forts  Gaswell  and  Johnston,  and  appointing 
your  first  captain.  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  ad  interim^ 
directed  Graham  Daves,  his  private  Secretary,  to  draw  and 
place  in  his  hands  for  execution  the  proper  orders.  They 
were  carried  at  once  on  a  special  car  to  Goldsboro,  and  thence 
telegraphed  to  John  L.  Gantwell,  Colonel  of  the  30th  militia 
regiment  of  the  State.  That  officer  was  commanded  to 
order  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry,  Gapt.  DeEosset,  the 
German  Volunteers,  Gapt.  Gornelson,  and  the  Wilmington 
Eifle  Guards,  Gapt.  Meares,  to  accompany  him  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  and  with  them  to  seize  and  occupy  the  forts 
there,  in  the  name  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

A  revolutionary  body,  organized  in  Wilmington,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1860,  called  the  "The  Cape  Fear  Minute  Men,"  com- 
manded by  John  J.  Hedrick,  Stephen  D.  Thruston,  George 
Wortham  and  others,  had  some  days  previous  to  this  time 
occupied  these  same  forts  without  authority.    A  council  of 


20 


safety,  of  which  Stephen  D.  Wallace  was  Secretary,  had  also 
appeared  in  Wilmmgton. 

On  the  16th  of  April,  the  United  States  steamer  '^Uncle 
Ben,"  was  seized  at  Wilmington  by  Adjntant  General  Cant- 
well,  and  her  captain,  (Greenwood,)  an«l  twelve  men  im- 
prisoned at  the  Marine  Hospital.  S.  L.  Fremont,  being 
assigned  to  her  command,  carried  down  to  Fort  Caswell  snp- 
plies  of  powder,  shot,  shell,  and  gun  carriages,  received  by 
rail  road  from  Charleston.  Upon  the  arrival  of  Fremont  at 
Caswell,  the  Adjutant  General  resigned  his  appointment 
under  the  Governor,  and  re-entered  the  ranks  of  his  company, 
the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry,  as  a  private.  On  the  15th 
of  June,  the  company  was  united  with  nine  others  and  formed 
the  18th  Regiment  of  North  Carolina  Troops.  James  D. 
Eadcliffe  was  elected  Colonel,  Oliver  P.  Meares,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  and  George  Tait,  Major.  The  Wilmington  Light 
Infemtry  now  ceased  to  be  known  by  that  name.  As 
company  G  of  the  18th  Regiment,  its  former  organization 
was  necessarily  suspended  during  the  war.  On  the  17th  of 
March,  1875,  the  company  was,  by  the  survivors,  formally 
re-organized,  with  the  following  officers :  Matthew  P.  Taylor, 
Captain  ;  A.  L.  DeRosset,  First  Lieutenant ;  Jno.  C.  James, 
Second  Lieutenant;  H.  C.  McQueen,  Third  Lieutenant ; 
J.  M.  Cazaux,  Ensign ;  Dr.  G.  G.  Thomas,  Surgeon ;  Rev. 
Geo.  Patterson,  Chaplain. 

Capt.  Taylor  served  until  April  10th,  1877,  when,  by  a 
singular  coincidence,  he  was  elected  Major  of  the  3d  Batta- 
lion State  Guards ;  the  same  rank  of  his  predecessor,  Capt. 
DeRosset;  but  a  new  organization  created  by  Act  of  the 
last  General  Assembly ;  upon  which  Mr.  Walter  Coney  was 
elected  captain,  being  the  tenth  in  the  line  of  succession  to 
that  rank  since  the  foundation  of  the  company.  And  this 
completes  the  history  of  the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry  to 
the  present  period. 

.  I  congratulate  you,  Capt.  Coney,  on  the  fine  appearance 
and  discipline  of  your  command.    I  trust  you  will  never  find 


21 


the  merchants  and  people  of  Wilmington,  and  especially  the 
ladies,  any  less  generous  in  their  courtesy  or  less  cordial  in 
their  attachment  to  your  company  than  they  were  accustomed 
to  be  in  your  predecessors'  days. 

Brother  soldiers,  of  the  Veteran  Corps,  I  have  performed 
the  duty  assigned  me,  but  I  cannot  conclude  this  address 
without  acknowledging  my  own  sense  of  its  imperfections 
and  omissions  and  regretting  the  necessity  I  am  under  of 
invoking  your  indulgence.  I  have  not  drawn  upon  your 
patience,  however,  I  hope,  without  rewarding  it  by  the 
recital  of  incidents  I  am  sure  you  will  not  willingly  suffer  to 
pass  with  me  into  oblivion.  I  am  constrained  to  omit  many 
which  are  even  mure  interesting.  At  the  risk  of  being 
tedious,  I  shall  now  ask  your  attention  while  I  detain  you 
with  an  attempt  to  recall  the  brightest  vision  of  our  ante- 
bellum days.  The  blue  eyed  Dora  Bro^^Tl,  the  vivandiere  of 
the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry,  as  she  appeared  at  the  head 
of  the  company  some  years  before  the  war,  in  her  gay  costume 
of  green  and  gold — not  yet  entered  on  her  teens — graceful  as 
an  homi ;  beaming  with  the  vivacity  of  her  age  and  family ; 
the  child  of  beaut}-  and  ot  song ;  a  golden  sunlight  stream- 
ing in  her  hair  and  flashing  fi^om  her  eyes  ;  she  marched  with 
the  swinging  gait  and  cadence  of  a  veteran  and  the  grace  of 
a  sylph.  La  FUJe  dii  Regiment  still  lives,  but  happier  now, 
in  the  achievement  of  her  destiny  and  the  fulfilment  of  the 
duties  of  a  more  exalted  station.*  " 

Yet  how  often,  on  the  tented  fields  of  Virginia,  fluttering 
above  the  white  winged  canvas,  or  tojing  in  the  breeze  with 
the  Stars  and  Bars  ;  through  the  silent  watches  of  the  starlit 
night ;  pacing  with  the  solitary  sentinel,  when  that  sentinePs 
beat  marked  the  boundary  lines  of  a  Confederacy;  on  the 
prison  floors  and  the  bitter  cold  of  Lake  Erie ;  gleaming  on 
the  unsheathed  bayonets  of  hostile  columns  moving  to  the 
fray ;  in  long  and  cruel  marches  by  the  dark  Potomac ;  over 
the  sloppy  roads ;  above  ramparts  crowned  with  cannon ;  . 


*  Now  Mrs.  Gregory. 


22 


wreattied  with  the  battle  smoke  or  sheeted  in  its  fiame,  that 
guileless  little  maiden^s  face  has  risea  on  the  soldier^s  eje 
like  some  exhalation  of  the  mist. 

"As  on  the  driving  cloud  the  shiny  bow, 
That  gracious  thing  made  up  of  tears  and  light. 

Mid'  the  wild  rack  and  rain  that  slants  below, 
Stands  smiling  forth  unmoved  and  freshly  bright  I 

As  though  the  spirits  of  all  lovely  flowers, 
In  weaving  each  its  wreath  and  dewy  crown, 

Or  e'er  they  sank  to  earth  in  vernal  showers. 
Had  built  a  bridge  to  tempt  the  angels  down. ' ' 

Gentlemen  of  the  Veteran  Corps,  I  am  glad  to  see  these 
recollections  touch  your  sensibilities. 

"These  moistened  eyes,  these  trembling  lips 
Are  not  the  signs  of  doubt  or  fear !" 

Survivors  of  more  than  fortj-  battle  fields,  the  memory  of 
which  will  last  while  history  shall  last ;  the  pages  which  re- 
cord the  conflicts  of  which  they  were  the  theatre  make  you  the 
actors,  and  flame  with  the  dauntless  spirit  of  your  ancestors. 
They  register  in  your  deeds  the  transmission  of  the  heroism 
they  inherited.  That  spirit  still  lives  amidst  the  corruptions 
of  this  day  and  the  degeneracy  of  the  republic.  Nay,  more, 
it  has  the  power  even  to  reanimate  its  corpse. 

Down  amid  the  tropics,  beneath  the  fervid  skies  of  the 
equator,  the  aqueducts  of  Mexico  arch  her  thirsty  vales.  From 
the  mountains  to  the  city,  they  carry  on  their  shoulders  to 
the  humblest  dwellings  of  the  people  the  pure  life-giving  waters 
of  the  Sierra  Madre.  And  so  we  should  learn  to  regard  this 
company  and  this  organization.  It  comes  down  to  us  from 
the  historic  past ;  it  links  the  present  generation  of  our  young 
men  to  their  predecessors ;  our  living  heroes  and  our 
dead  ;  our  lowliest  needs  and  our  loftiest  aspirations.  Across 
a  desert  slough  and  a  dark  valley,  crowded  with  shadows  and 
death,  it  brings  to  Wilmington,  through  clouds  and  mists, 
fringed  with  the  rainbow  hues  of  morning  and  fed  with 
heaven's  own  sunshine,  over  leaping  cascades  and  difficult 
hills,  the  fresh  pure  air  and  the  immortal  breath  of  patriot- 


23 


ism.  Soldiers,  I  do  not  ask  yoii  to-day  to  maintain  your 
reputation,  nor  shall  I  repeat  promises  for  your  future  con- 
iluet ;  your  past  history  is  the  best  guarantee  of  your  future. 

Fellow  citizens,  I  make  you  no  appeal  in  behalf  of  this 
company.  It  is  as  though  a  man  should  plead  to  a  mother 
in  behalf  of  her  own  oifspring.  Its  sun  will  never  set  ;  its 
natural  forc«  will  not  abate  until  freedom  itself  shall  expire. 
We  shall  not  see  it  die  until  that  living  public  spirit,  which 
has  characterized  this  community  in  every  emergency  of  its 
existence,  shall  also  disappear  and  forever. 


At  the  conclusion  of  the  oration,  which  was  loudly  ap- 
plauded, the  exercises  were  brought  to  a  close  by  the  choir 
singing  ^^Oarolina's  Sons  are  Ready,"  composed  by  the  Hon. 
Geo.  Davis,  and  dedicated  by  him  to  the  Wilmington  Light 
Infantry,  who  were  then  on  duty  at  Bolles'  battery  near  Fort 
Fisher,  in  May,  1861. 

[For  this  sketch  and  the  preliminary  account  of  the  celebration  our  ac- 
knowledgments are  due  to  Mr.  J.  T.  James  of  the  Daily  Eeview,"  in 
which  paper  it  originally  appeared.  We  present  the  oration  with  the 
author's  last  corrections.] 


APPENDIX. 


MR.  WADDELL's  speech. 


Mr.  Waddellj  addressing  Oapt.  Harrison^  of  the  Oak  City 
Guards,  said : 

I  tender  you,  on  behall  of  tne  Wilmington  Light  Infantry, 
their  sincere  acknowledgments  for  the  hearty  welcome  which 
has  greeted  their  arrival  in  your  beautiful  city.  The  oppor- 
tunity which  your  visit  to  Wilmington  on  the  20th  of  May 
last  afforded  them  of  forming  an  estimate  of  your  characters, 
justified  them  in  anticipating  a  warm  reception  and  a  gener- 
ous hospitality,  but  they  were  scarcely  prepared  for  such  a 
greeting  as  this,  conveyed  too,  through  so  distinguished  a  rep- 
resentative, and  in  such  kind  and  flattering  terms.  The 
character  of  the  man  whose  name  your  city  bears,  was  alone 
a  suthcieot  guarantee  to  us  for  the  belief  that  in  her  citizen 
soldiers  might  be  found  a  happy  combination  of  the  attributes 
of  the  soldier  and  the  gentleman, — -your  visit  to  Wilmington 
confirmed  that  belief, — our  welcome  here  to-day  is  a  delight- 
ful realization  of  it. 

In  conierriug  upon  her  capital  the  name  "  Raleigh,"  North 
Carolina  has  not  only  performed  an  act  of  justice  and  grati- 
tude to  the  illustrious  man  who  planted  the  first  colony  of 
Englishmen  in  America  on  her  coast,  but  she  is  perpetuating 
the  memory  of  one  of  the  most  gallant  soldiers,  most  accom- 
phshed  gentlemen,  and  most  gifted  scholars  of  the  brightest 


25 


period  of  English  history.  'Tis  a  name  with  which  are  asso- 
ciated the  highest  and  noblest  qualities  of  our  nature ;  a  name 
indissolubly  connected  with  the  history  of  our  state,  and 
which,  until  illumined  by  the  pen  of  that  distinguished  son  of 
IN'orth  Carolina,  (Dr.  Hawks,)  who  is  now  weaving  the  web  of 
her  history,  had  never  occupied  its  proper  page  in  the  records 
of  our  race.  You,  fellow  soldiers,  since  your  organization,  have 
proved  yourselves  not  unworthy  "guards  "  to  the  City  of  Oaks; 
and  emulation  of  the  virtues  and  gallantry  of  the  great  man 
whose  name  it  bears  will  be  the  best  assurance  you  can  give  of 
your  determination  to  maintain  your  present  position. 

Devoted  as  we  profess  ourselves  as  citizens  to  be  to  the 
cause  of  our  whole  country — to  whatever  concerns  our  nation- 
al interest — our  most  entire  loyalty  is  still  due  to  our  native 
state ;  and  owing  to  the  peculiar  institutions  among  which  we 
live,  greater  necessity  is  felt  for  the  diftusion  of  military 
knowledge  here  at  the  South  than  elsewhere  in  America. 
All  that  is  dear  to  us  socially  and  politically,  may  depend  upon 
our  readiness  and  efficiency,  at  a  moment's  warning,  to  take 
the  field. 

The  spirit  which  prompts  these  reciprocal  visits  of  milita- 
ry companies  is  generous,  manly  and  wise.  While  they  ex- 
pand our  hearts  beyond  our  immediate  circles  and  teach  us  to 
embrace  as  brothers  those  who  were  strangers  before,  they 
have  the  greater  and  more  salutary  effect  of  stimulating  mili- 
tary pride  in  our  respective  companies,  and  cultivating  the 
science  of  tactics  by  devotion  to  the  severe  discipline  of  the 
camp.  A  nd  I  trust  I  may  be  pardoned  here  for  doing  an  act 
of  simple  justice  in  ascribing  to  a  gentleman  of  this  city  (Mr. 
Edward  Cantwell)  this  meed  of  praise.  On  his  return  from  a 
gallant  and  honorable  career  in  Mexico,  he  organized  the 
Wilmington  Light  Infantry— the  only  other  corps  then  exist- 
ing in  North  Carolina  being  that  proud  relic  of  Eevolutionary 
times,  the  Independent  Light  Infantry  of  Fayetteville.  To 
him  are  we  indebted  for  a  revival  of  the  military  spirit  in  North 
Carohna,  and  for  the  pleasures  of  this  occasion.    Long  may 


26 


hig  services  and  patriotism  continue  a  source  of  pride  to  his 
fellow  citizens. 

I  should  but  poorly  represent  my  comrades  of  the  Wilming- 
ton Light  Infantry,  and  do  but  scant  justice  to  my  own  leel- 
ings  of  gallantry,  were  I  to  omit  an  allusion  to  the  fairer  por- 
tion of  your  community,  of  whom  the  Governor  has  spoken 
in  such  playful  and  handsome  terms.  Do  not  be  shocked, 
gentlemen,  when  I  say  that  the  inclement  weather  which  has 
driven  them  to  the  capitol  yonder  ought  to  be  a  source  of 
gratitude  to  our  captain.  It  is  nevertheless  true.  The  ex- 
haustion which  his  men  have  suffered  from  the  broadsides  of 
the  batteries  in  Fayetteville  render  it  utterly  impossible  that 
they  could  stand  another  attack  so  soon.  With  one  day's  rest 
however  they  are  willing  to  encounter  the  fire  again,  and  if 
any  should  fall  we  only  ask  that  they  may  be  carried  from  the 
field  in  the  arms  of  their  foes. 


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